MALL and CALL Technologies as Means to Enhance Learning English in Higher Learning Institutions: Challenges and Strategies to Developing Students’ Speaking Skills

MALL and CALL Technologies as Means to Enhance Learning English in Higher Learning Institutions: Challenges and Strategies to Developing Students’ Speaking Skills

Anastasie Uwababyeyi – University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, Rwanda
Dr. Jean Paul Ngoboka – University of Rwanda, college of Education
Dr. Patrick Ujwiga Anguru – University of Rwanda, college of Education
*Corresponding author: anastasieuwababyeyi0@gmail.com

Abstract: Many graduates leave Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) incompetent in communication skills in English and fail to successfully compete on the labor market. This paper aims to examine the contribution of Mobile assisted language learning (MALL) and Computer assisted language learning (CALL) as new technologies to teach English speaking skills in Rwanda HLIs. The research was conducted in seven HLIs. The HLIs located in Kigali city were chosen using simple random sampling while HLIs from provinces were purposively selected.. Questionnaire and interviews were used to solicit views of informants about the issue. 140 students and 10 teachers gave their views. The results revealed that the methodology used currently in HLIs leads to the traditional approach focusing on grammar and vocabulary, because of a big number of students and a short time allocated to the English programs. Consequently, students lack opportunities to practice speaking skills. All interviewees stated that MALL and CALL may improve speaking skills. Thus, students should be given tasks that involve speaking to upgrade their accuracy and fluency even outside the classroom. In this regard, the classroom will not be the only source of learning. However, the impact of MALL and CALL on speaking skills will be felt if the strategies proposed in this paper including closely monitoring tasks given to students, training lecturers in CT and well equipped language laboratory among other, are adopted. Stakeholders of HLI should also work together to facilitate the use of MALL and CALL to promote the English speaking skill in HLIs.